Most Significant Debuts at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show

November in Michigan brings the beginning of deer season, meaning our woods are stocked with camo-clad hunters patiently waiting for that big trophy buck to wander past. Out in L.A., it’s a different story. The camo here is finally coming off dozens of new production and concept cars, and their makers are hoping the cars might be their next big meal ticket. We’ve stalked the show floor, sat through the press conferences, and here present to you the 10 biggest finds of the 2008 L.A. auto show.

The first hybrid car from the first company to bring a hybrid SUV to market, the Fusion and its Milan twin are the first hybrids to use an animation of leaves budding and dying on a tree branch to coax owners to drive in a more environmentally friendly manner. Ford’s claims of a 47-mph top speed on battery alone and a 700-mile city range are pretty impressive, too. Ford says the Fusion and the Milan—using Toyota’s own technology under license—will better the Camry hybrid by 5 mpg in the city.

Ford’s redesign of the Mustang didn’t bring about any hefty mechanical change, but it updates the car in the area that needed it most. Although the fifth-generation Mustang is an unquestionable performance bargain, the interior has always felt conspicuously bargain basement. No more, as the car is filled with plush new materials and— gasp!—real aluminum. Also included in the face lift is new sheetmetal that blends touches of early fourth-gen Mustang into the existing shape for a fresher look.

Following its move in 2006 from January to November, the L.A. auto show has been growing in importance, so how is it that this year’s show boasts only a single whimsical concept debut? It’s indicative of the state of the industry that concept cars such as this are so rare, with most manufacturers preferring to introduce tamer concepts based on production vehicles or destined to become them. Honda hasn’t forgotten what people 30 years ago expected us to be driving today. Thanks for the reminder.

Infiniti—well, and everyone else who makes anything with four doors and the slightest aspirations of luxury or sport—has had the 3-series benchmarked since John Glenn first orbited the earth. But until the G37 convertible debuted, Infiniti was competing with less than a full roster. Now Infiniti finally offers a cheaper alternative to every single model within the 3-series lineup. All that remains is to divine BMW’s ride-and-handling secrets.

That the LP560-4 Spyder would follow the coupe was as predictable as a porno plot, but the result is way sexier. Although the Gallardo blazed wide new trails for Lamborghini in drivability and user-friendliness, it has been the LP560-4 that leveled the Gallardo with the Ferrari F430, in both performance and driver feedback and fulfillment. Whether or not the Lamborghini is better is a question whose answer actually matters to very few fortunate, wealthy people, but aren’t you curious?

The redesigned RX350 is a bold new move in complete design apathy. Plenty of upmarket pretenders can be found in the economy classes, but it’s rare for a new luxury vehicle to so strongly resemble something $10,000 cheaper. Not only does the 2010 RX350 look nearly identical to the current-generation car, but it’s also a dead ringer for the copycat Hyundai Veracruz. At least the green version doesn’t look like a Ford Escape hybrid.

The Mazda 3 is one of our favorite economy rides, a fun, comfortable little car with more style inside and out than you might expect for $14,000. The 2010 model looks ready to continue the tradition with swoopy sheetmetal born of Mazda’s new corporate design language and a smart, simple interior. Still based off the old platform, the new 3 receives stiffening in key points but resists the trend of excess growth. We’re looking forward to the next Mazdaspeed 3 as well.

Tesla might have been the first company to the current market with a production electric car, but the Mini E looks like the more viable choice for public consumption. Following the Tesla’s recipe, the E takes an existing platform and loads it up with thousands of little batteries—5088 individual cells, to be exact. Upset about the loss of the Mini’s rear seats? They were never there anyway, just a figment of some marketer’s imagination.

With the GT-R’s exotic performance figures recognized worldwide, Nissan has refocused on its more affordable sports car. Although sub-four-second 0-to-60 sprints aren’t the forte of the Z, with more power and less weight than its predecessor, the 370Z still promises thrills a league or two above its $29,930 base price. Expect the Z’s updated platform to proliferate throughout the Infiniti lineup as did that of its predecessor.

Although the Honda Element and the Scion xB have proven that cubic cars can survive in the U.S., the Nissan Cube will gauge America’s readiness for a whole new facet of the trio’s home market: funky Japanese design. With deep bevels surrounding bug-eyed windows and asymmetrical back glass, the spunky Cube looks like nothing ever seen on American roads; and starting right around $14,000, it’ll be priced to populate them densely.